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Picked up an aluminum driveshaft last month, package deal with the 350 roller block that is currently at the machine shop. Since it was laying around the shop and I was looking for an excuse to get out of the house, been working on it the last couple of days and thought I would share the results.
I've always liked polishing parts. Just relaxing, not mentally challenging so mind gets to wander. My last major project was putting a shine on a set of 16" Formula wheels - info on that in this link: HERE. That was a long, massive undertaking because I wanted them to come out perfect. Plus, was starting with a rougher finish and clear coat removal. The driveshaft starts already smooth, so no casting marks to sand down. This shaft has had some kind of interference with another part, as there are two places with some grooves ground into it. If any vibrations, will be pulling it and going for a trip to the balancing shop.
Before Pictures: Not OHSA approved footwear
First day was sanding. I started at 150, then 220, last with 320 grit. For these heavier grits, I use an orbital palm sander. Does a nice job of working the surface without gouging into it. After the 320, I start with wet sanding by hand. For this step, I use 400, 600, 1000, 1500 and finish with 2000. Soak the pieces for about 5 minutes in soapy water, then keep dunking as you go along. About three hours from starting at 150 to ending with 2000. Some breaks and kid interruptions, etc.
Can start to see the beginnings of reflections after 2000 grit sanding.
Rained all day yesterday, unusually for Texas Hill Country. Wasn't until today that I could break out the polishing wheels and begin work. For polishing, I've always used either my bench grinder, or for the wheels I hooked up the power drill to the polishing wheels. For the first time, I had this little Black & Decker Workmate table that I saved from a neighbor's trash. Handy little thing! Let me move the polishing out of the garage and really cut down on the cleanup afterwards. I have just a set of cheap harbor freight polishing wheels and compound. Seem to work good for my needs, although I'm sure there is better. I have four levels that I use - black, brown, white, and a white diamond liquid compound that I discovered with the wheels. Really takes out the last bit of haziness. Was probably another three hours of work today.
The results certainly meet my criteria of "good-nuff." A part that likely nobody will ever see, but at least I know it will look good. Since I had the equipment out, I also polished the fuel rails and fuel pressure regulator housing for my upcoming TPI swap.
I've done the same to my aluminum drive shaft a few years before and after all the work, I asked myself why I did that... No one will see it. But nicely done!
It looks great no matter if it is seen or not, nice work. I too am a fam of making parts look nice regardless of where they are on the car.
I have one of those workmates also and have used it for so many things they are the best!
I have one of those workmates also and have used it for so many things they are the best!
In all my years, I had never even heard of these things until I saw this one on the curb. Needed to use some PB Blaster on one of the latches and it works good as new. The cheap pressboard too is swollen, so an upcoming project will be to upgrade it to hardwood. Handy little device!
07-10-2021, 05:17 PM
I've done the same to my aluminum drive shaft a few years before and after all the work, I asked myself why I did that... No one will see it. 
